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Implementing a Physical Activity Promoting Program in a Flex-Office: A Process Evaluation with a Mixed Methods
Viktoria Wahlström1, Anncristine Fjellman-Wiklund2, Mette Harder3
1Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section for Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|December 22, 2019
Summary
Implementing a physical activity program in flex offices requires understanding employee needs and leveraging a supportive culture and environment. This approach can foster sustainable healthy behaviors and reduce sedentary time.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Behavioral Science
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Implementing physical activity (PA) programs in evolving office environments presents unique challenges.
- Understanding factors influencing sedentary behavior (SB) and PA is crucial for effective workplace interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation of a PA-promoting program in a flex office setting.
- To identify facilitating and hindering factors affecting PA behaviors among office workers.
- To assess self-reported and perceived PA behaviors post-implementation.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach combining interviews (n=70) and repeated questionnaires (n=152).
- Process evaluation of a PA-promoting program implemented in a flex office.
- Analysis of employee perceptions and self-reported PA and SB.
Main Results:
- The PA program was fully implemented with strong management support and an existing health-promoting culture.
- The lecture and office design were key motivating factors, increasing stair use, meeting breaks, and social acceptance of standing/walking.
- Employee-reported influences on PA and SB included the need for variation, management, office environment, productivity, and ergonomics.
Conclusions:
- A strong organizational health culture and a supportive physical environment are key to sustainable PA behaviors in offices.
- Tailoring interventions through understanding organizational needs and participatory processes is essential to reduce sedentary behavior.
- While the program was implemented, employee input suggested a need to critically assess program necessity and timing.
